Literacy – Spanning the US :: Califon NJ :: Bath ME :: Murfreesboro TN :: Winchester VA

Literacy: Spanning the US

HCESC

Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board Offers Virtual Literacy Program

My Central Jersey: 6.20.2020

A new series of virtual literacy services is set to begin next month for adult learners seeking a high school diploma and to develop English language skills in Hunterdon and Somerset counties.

Like other programs around the state and nation, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the programs once offered in face to face settings in libraries and churches have moved to a remote-learning model. Students and teachers will be using Zoom, Whatsapp and other virtual methods to conduct individual and group learning. Some of the programs also are purchasing additional Chrome books to help support students’ learning experiences.

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Beginning on July 1, Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission is hosting new literacy programs open to residents of Hunterdon and Somerset counties. Services include high school equivalency, basic computer skills and English Language acquisition.

In addition, the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission also operates two Workforce Learning Link sites offering adult literacy programs. These programs offered through the Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center, are also currently being offered remotely, and may go back to some form of in-person classes later this summer or in the early fall.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

@MidcoastLit

Midcoast Literacy Looking For Volunteer Tutors

Boothbay Register: 6.20.2020 by Dan Burson, Midcoast Literacy

Midcoast Literacy, a non-profit that provides free literacy tutoring to people of all ages, needs more volunteer tutors who can begin working with children and adult learners this summer, especially in the Bath/Brunswick area. Tutors are needed for school-age children who are struggling to read at grade level; for children and adults from asylum seeking families; and for adults wanting to improve their literacy skills so they can improve their lives. If you think you might be able to help an adult or child in the Bath/Brunswick region develop stronger literacy skills this summer, please contact Midcoast Literacy at admin@midcoastlit.org

“The COVID-19 pandemic, school closures, and stay-at-home directives have all made the need for literacy programs more acute,” says Don Lader, Midcoast Literacy’s executive director. His comments were echoed by Brunswick Cultural Broker Nsiona Nguizani, who works closely with new Mainers in the region. “Kids who are being tutored are getting to speak English outside school, and they’re picking it up quicker than the other (immigrant) kids,” says Nguizani. “The tutors are the person-to-person keys that bring them to the language.”

=Currently, tutoring sessions are taking place remotely via Zoom and other platforms, and in-person at outdoor sessions. In the coming months, some tutoring pairs will move their sessions to inside locations that allow for appropriate distancing and protection measures.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

@GreenhouseMin

Greenhouse Ministries Focuses On Education

Murfreesboro Post: 6.20.2020 by Kristina Brown

Are you looking for useful ways to volunteer?  Do you want to invest in your community, but are unsure where your donations will do the most good?  Would you like to know more about the services non-profit organizations in your community provide?  Read on to discover how you can make a difference in Rutherford County.

For over 20 years, Greenhouse Ministries’ mission has been simple: help, educate, and connect the underserved while nurturing them in a safe place. Greenhouse’s clients are primarily the working poor, single mothers and grandmothers, the homeless, those displaced through job loss or medical issues, the disabled, and those on Social Security.

Greenhouse offers services for basic human needs. These include providing help from its food pantry, clothing, toiletries, household items, prayer, and assistance obtaining an ID/birth certificate.

However, the main emphasis of the services offered at Greenhouse Ministries is the long-term help through educating and connecting with their clients. It offers adult education classes, including computer skills, tutoring for the high school equivalency test, literacy tutoring, parenting, budgeting, and career advancement classes. It also connects its clients with other resources available, including job and housing opportunities, as well as connecting them with other nonprofits who might be able to better serve their needs.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

Literacy Volunteers 

Winchester Area

Literacy Volunteers Adapting In Age Of COVID-19

Winchester Star: 6.22.2020 by Brian Brehm

The COVID-19 quarantine pushed many area schools, businesses and organizations into cyberspace, where people meet via videoconference using services such as Zoom and WebEx.

Included among them was Literacy Volunteers Winchester Area, which switched to a distance-learning model in order to continue teaching English as a second language.

While there have been a few hiccups along the way, officials said the overall results have been encouraging — so much so that distance learning will become a permanent teaching alternative for the nonprofit at 301 N. Cameron St., in the Our Health complex.

Student-turned-tutor Laura Rodriguez admitted, “It’s challenging,” but said she is learning to adjust to the online teaching model by gauging the reactions of her pupils whenever she introduces new subject matter.

Tutor Meghan Blake, a Winchester resident who recently graduated from St. Joseph’s College in New York, said the key to successful online teaching is adapting to a sometimes unpredictable environment.

“These people are at home. They have kids, so we’ll have kids show up in class,” she said. “That can be both fun and interesting at the same time.”

Literacy Volunteers Winchester Area has a multi-faceted mission, helping people of all ethnic and educational backgrounds improve their reading, writing and computer skills, and assisting immigrants with the process of becoming naturalized U.S. citizens.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

Why Experts Say Reading Books Should Be on Your Daily To-Do List via Inc

Why Experts Say Reading Books Should Be on Your Daily To-Do List

It's a cognitive exercise that brings with it a wealth of benefits.

Inc: 9.18.2018 by Christina DesMarais

It makes sense that people who exercise their bodies regularly do better in life because they have fewer health problems, are more confident, and are physically able to do the things they want and need to do. It's the same thing when it comes to working out your brain. Researchers have determined the practice of reading--a cognitive exercise--lowers stress and depression, raises your intelligence, protects your memory, and helps you to be more open-minded. Here are other ways it's good for you, as well.

1. Reading fiction changes you.

British creatives Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell recently posted a visual essay in The Guardian in which they advocate the value of libraries, librarians, and the practice of reading fiction.

2. Reading helps you succeed in business.

If you want to dominate whatever industry you operate in, it helps to learn as much as you can about it.

3. Reading can turn you into an expert.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 8

Reading Level: fairly easy to read.

Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old

(Seventh and Eighth graders)

Send7 :: Listen To Simple English News Daily

Simple English News Daily

Send7

Daily world news in clear English.

Seven minutes of the most important stories in slow, intermediate English.

For English learners, teachers, and people with English as a second language. If you want to know today's world news of politics, business, natural events and human rights in clear, easy English, then SEND7 is for you, every morning.

Listen and read transcripts.

Friday 3rd July 2020

Starting in Asia

In Myanmar a landslide has killed over 160 people. Officials say that heavy rain sent a wave of mud into a jade mine in the northern Kachin state.  Myanmar is the world’s biggest source of jade, but jade mines are often dangerous and accidents are common. In 2015 a landslide at a jade mine in Kachin state killed over 100 people.

Hong Kong.

The United States congress has backed sanctions against China for its new security law in Hong Kong. China has said that it will retaliate with sanctions on the US.  On Wednesday evening US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said that Hong Kong would become “just another communist city”…

“Free Hong Kong was one of the world’s most stable, prosperous and dynamic cities. Now, now it will be just another communist run city where the people will be subject to the party elite’s whims… it’s sad.”

On Wednesday the British government announced plans to give British citizenship to millions of Hong Kongers. Australia is planning to allow Hong Kongers to stay in Australia as well. China has criticised the UK, the US and Australia, saying that they should not interfere with China’s national issues.

Europe

Brexit talks have stopped early, because of “serious disagreements” – according to Michel Barnier, the EU‘s negotiator. Barnier complained of a lack of respect from the British government. On Wednesday German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the EU to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.

In Russia, preliminary results show that people have voted for constitutional changes. Vladamir Putin has been either Prime Minister or President since 1999, and now he will be able to stay in power until 2036. Opposition politician Alexei Navalny said that the vote was illegitimate.

Americas

The United States had its highest single-day increase of coronavirus cases on Wednesday, with 51,000 confirmed. Texas, Florida and California are the worst hit. Despite this, the US has had its second month of job growth. 4.8 million jobs were created in June. President Donald Trump said that they were “putting out the flames of the coronavirus….

“Todays announcement proves that our economy is roaring back, its coming back extremely strong. We have some areas where we are putting out the flames of the fires, and that’s working out very well , we’re working closely with governors, and I think its working out very well, I think you’l l see that shortly. So these are numbers that are not numbers that other presidents would have…”

Presidential candidate Joe Biden said that there is no victory to be celebrated…

“There’s no victory to be celebrated. We should  hope but there’s no victory to be celebrated. We are still down nearly 15 million jobs and the pandemic is getting worse not better. We’ve already had more than 128,000 dead. And the number keeps climbing. That’s a direct consequence of Donald Trump’s bumbled leadership and total mismanagement of this crisis from the start.”

Latin America quickly…

Brazil has passed 60,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths, after one thousand deaths were confirmed for Wednesday. In Mexico at least 24 people were killed in an attack on a drug rehabilitation centre in Guanajato state on Wednesday. And yesterday a judge in London said that Juan Guaido is the recognized president of Venezuela. Because of this, Nicolas Maduro should not have access to $1 billion dollars of gold stored in the Bank of England.

And finally Africa

In Ethiopia 2 people were reported to have been killed by security forces, during the funeral of musician Haacaaluu Hundeessa. Since Hundessa was killed on Monday, at least 90 people have died in different protests. It is still not known who murdered Hundessa.

In Tunisia a  27 year old blogger is on trial for sharing a video on facebook. Amna Chargui is charged with insulting the Qu’ran – the muslim holy book. Amnesty international condemned Tunisia for attacking freedom of expression.

And in Somalia the National theatre will open for the first time in 8 years, since a suicide bombing destroyed the building. The theatre was opened in 1967 and is an important cultural landmark in Mogadishu.

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders)

Improving Health Literacy Will Create A Healthier Population via CT Mirror

Improving Health Literacy Will Create A Healthier Population

CT Mirror: 6.29.2020 by Mary Nketia

Warren Buffet once said “Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing.” Buffet is an investor and business tycoon and likely referring to the risk associated with business ventures; however, this sentiment is true when talking about health knowledge. Business risks are unlikely to kill you, but lacking understanding of matters that affect your health can be fatal.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, Title V, defines health literacy as

the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions

(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). We all need to take steps to improve our own health literacy, that of our loved ones and that of the population as a whole.

Individuals with low health literacy may have difficulty locating providers and services, filling out complex health forms, sharing their medical history with providers, seeking preventive health care, knowing the connection between risky behaviors and health, managing chronic health conditions and understanding directions on medicine. (Health Resources & Services Administration).

Nearly 36 percent of adults in the U.S. have low health literacy, with a higher number among lower-income Americans eligible for Medicaid. This may appear to be a problem for only the individuals affected, but everyone should care about health literacy. Low health literacy has a large economic impact – those with low health literacy experience greater health care use and costs compared to those with proficient health literacy.

In 2018 the U.S. spent $3.6 trillion or $11,172 per person on healthcare. The estimated cost of low health literacy to the U.S. economy is between $106 billion to $238 billion annually.

So, what can we do to improve health literacy? It is first important to recognize health literacy as a systems issue, which reflects how complex the presentation of health information is as well as how difficult the healthcare system can be to understand.

The educational system can prepare students at all levels to be competent consumers of healthcare. This will benefit the students in the future, and it can also benefit their parents or grandparents who may have low levels of health literacy. Providing students with trusted sources of information will empower them to make knowledgeable healthcare decisions.

Funding should be allocated for adult education about the healthcare system and materials developed about preventative health for all reading levels. Some educational materials are currently available, but an assessment of health literacy and the dispersing of materials based on level will be more effective.

The healthcare system should increase the availability and use of nurse navigators, especially for patients with very low levels of health literacy. Nurse navigators advocate for patients by helping translate complex medical information into language they can understand and apply, and make the overwhelming more manageable.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Literacy Reports & Statistics

Health

Quick Guide to Health Literacy and Older Adults, US Dept of Health & Human Services

2019: Health Literacy in the 50 States, Health IQ (an Insurance Co.)

2018: How Health Literacy Got Started, Helen Osborne

2017: Hidden Cost of Healthcare System Complexity, Accenture

2015: Health Literacy & Patient Engagement, 12th Annual Report, US HHS Sep 2015

2011: Health Literacy Interventions Outcomes: Updated Systematic Rvw, AHRQ

2010: Health Literacy, NNLM

2010: Health Literacy: Accurate Accessible Actionable Health Info. for All, CDC

2009: Reaching America’s Health Potential Among Adults, RWJ Foundation

2009: Low Health Literacy, NAAL 2003

2004: Literacy and Health in America, ETS

Literacy – Spanning North America :: Newport Beach CA :: Red Deer AB :: Greenfield MA

Literacy: Spanning North America

@NMProLiteracy

Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy Announces Online Services

Stu News Newport: 6.16. 2020

Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy (NMPL), a program of the Newport Beach Public Library (NBPL), provides free literacy instruction to adults who live or work in the Newport Beach area.

Like many other organizations, Newport/Mesa ProLiteracy shut down on March 18 in response to public health concerns and guidance about COVID-19, temporarily stopping its services to almost 150 people in the community. 

However, in just a couple of weeks, much of the program was able to be moved online. Tutors and learners were taught how to use platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp and Skype for one-on-one sessions and eight of the 10 regularly scheduled classes were quickly moved to a distance-learning model.

NMPL has continued engaging people through online channels to further its mission of literacy education. So far, about 40 online pairs are meeting with more taking steps to start in the near future. Starting this week, the program will be offering online orientations to new learners and online training to those who wish to be tutors.

In this uncertain time, the need for improved language skills is great. Many people will be in search of employment, dealing with health issues, or in need of emergency services. NMPL provides help to those with poor English literacy skills who want to be self-sufficient.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

@rdpl

Adaptation: How One Organization Has Embraced Virtual Volunteering

Volunteer Central: 6.18.2020 by Ryan Charles Parker

Things were different back then. It seems odd to use the phrase “back then” when it has only been a matter of months since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, but it feels like forever. As we all know, the virus has brought on significant changes to our lives. And volunteering is no different. Many causes have had to put their work on hold, and this made it difficult to volunteer. Some programs, however, have been able to adapt and have carried on through these troubled times. The Adult Literacy Program, run by the Red Deer Public Library, is one such case.

The Adult Literacy Program is a service that utilizes volunteer tutors to help English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Literary learners to learn or improve their English. Students can learn writing, reading, pronunciation and conversation.

Isabel Bolhuis volunteers for the Adult Literacy Program. She described to me what it was like to volunteer as a tutor before the crisis hit:

“I met my learner once a week at the Dawe (Library branch). We would always start with a conversation; at the level of my student…I used a notebook to write what we were talking about as well as to write any words my learner was struggling to understand so that she would have a visual.”

Isabel also used other techniques such as using flashcards with one side a word and the other a picture, and word strips to read and match.

“I especially like to use activities that provide a lot of visual cues,” Isabel explained.

But then the pandemic hit, and this work with visuals became difficult. When you are cooped-up in your home and unable to meet with your student face to face, especially when so many of your techniques require you to be in person, it is difficult to tutor.

But Isabel took it in stride. She exchanged emails with her student after receiving an email from the Adult Literacy Program that both notified her that face-to-face learning was to be put on hold, and encouraged the volunteers to continue tutoring online.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders)

Literacy Project

‘Zoomsday’ Video Performance Celebrates Irish Author James Joyce

Greenfield Recorder: 6.18.2020

This year, the Literacy Project’s annual Bloomsday Literary Festival, a global celebration of Irish writer James Joyce, is being hosted in a unique way — on YouTube.

While the 2020 “Bloomsday” was officially commemorated Monday via a digital performance featuring Deerfield harpist Rosemary Caine and The Wilde Irish Women, the video can be watched anytime. It is free and accessible by the public.

Proceeds from Bloomsday Zoomsday go to purchase laptops for The Literacy Project’s adult students. This year more than ever, a press statement notes, The Literacy Project needs funds to purchase laptops to send home with low-income students so they can continue their education online and remotely via Zoom classes and Google classroom projects.

Founded in 1984 in Greenfield, The Literacy Project’s mission is to provide access to education for adults who need a second chance to get their high school diploma and move on to community college, jobs and job training programs to better support themselves and their families.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 15

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate